Patti Smith
Easter

Originally from Chicago, she moved to New York during her childhood and by the early '70s she became known as a painter, poet, and writer. Friend of already established characters like Andy Warhol, Bob Dylan, John Cale, who would produce her first album, and friend of future Television guitarist Tom Verlain. Cult figure of the New Wave and Punk, angry gaze as if to say “I don't care”: this is Patti Smith!

In 1978, the "Easter" album was released under the Arista label, the least considered album of the American artist, a record showcasing Patti's highest compositional vein: it's no longer that guitar-driven and somewhat punk rock that characterized the first two albums. Indeed, Easter is a more refined and in some ways more mature album, collaborations with Springsteen and Tom Petty also make it elegant and successful. The album opens with "Till Victory" a good opener that still recalls the first two albums, a delicate song in the interludes and in the use of the voice, with powerful guitar contrasting with the voice. It is followed by "Space Monkey" a track introduced by a nice organ line followed by Patti's rough singing that evokes the early '70s, reaching a deadly chorus that elevates like few others, again organ and voice find great balance culminating in a growing animalistic scream. "Because the Night" is the hit of the album, born from the collaboration with Springsteen, a very sweet track with great impact and a nice touch in the album. "Ghost Dance" is the standout track of the album, a sinister melody narrated by a gentle guitar and an exceptional chorus, as indeed Smith is in this song, memories of a nearby Egypt, sacrifices and banquets. "Babelogue" is the spoken introduction to the following track "Rock N Roll Nigger" which closely resembles "Mr Soul" by Buffalo Springfield and AC-DC riffs, a track of great strength and exceptional vigor, maximum guitar strumming and good performance by the drummer. The second side opens with "Privilege(Set Me Free)" another unsettling, beautiful, slow track, a liberation. . . ah. . . what beauty. "We Three" still focuses on melody and fully succeeds, making you want to dance under the stars and shout I am free!!! It is followed by "25th Floor", a powerful riff-based track in the seventies style that connects to the next track "High On Rebellion" still in the style of the former. The album closes with the beautiful "Easter", a slow prayer to humanity, another moving track... sigh... beautiful.

In my opinion, this is Smith’s best album, even superior to the more famous Horses and Radio Ethiopia.

Regards from Psychobonco!!!